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Texas Holdem Set-Up and Play
By PokerListings.com
Texas Hold'em Poker is a community card game with four betting rounds.Game Play
- One player acts as dealer. This position is called the button and it rotates clockwise after every hand.
- The two players to the left of the dealer are the small blind and the big blind, respectively. They are the only players who have money in the pot before the cards are dealt.
- Every player receives two cards face down. These are hole cards.
- The first betting round begins with the player sitting immediately to the left of the big blind, and continues clockwise.
- When the first betting round is completed, three community cards are flipped face up on the table. This is called the flop.
- The second round of betting begins with the first remaining player seated to the left of the button. The betting resumes, clockwise.
- When the second round of betting is finished, a fourth community card is flipped face up on the table. This is called the turn.
- The third round of betting commences with the first remaining player sitting to the left of the button. The betting moves clockwise, with the bets doubling on the turn.
- When the third round of betting is over, a fifth community card is flipped face up on the table. This is called the river.
- The fourth round of betting starts with the first remaining player seated to the left of the button. The betting continues to move clockwise.
How to make a hand
The players must combine their hole cards with the community cards to make the best possible 5-card poker hand. It is possible to use both hole cards, one hole card or no hole card (play the board), in an effort to make a hand.
Example
Hold'em| Hole Cards A | Hole Cards B | |
  |   |
| The Flop | The Turn | The River |
   |  | |
| Final hand A | Final hand B | |
| Two pair (Q's and 3's with a K) |  Two pair (K's and 3's with an A) |
Action begins
Action ends
Ranking of hands
- Straight flush (the best straight flush hand: A-K-Q-J-T, all of the same suit)
- Four-of-a-kind (the best four-of-a-kind hand: A-A-A-A-K)
- Full house (the best full house hand: A-A-A-K-K)
- Flush (the best flush hand: any Ace-high flush)
- Straight (the best straight hand: A-K-Q-J-T)
- Three-of-a-kind (the best three-of-a-kind hand: A-A-A-K-Q)
- Two-pair (the best two-pair hand: A-A-K-K-Q)
- One-pair (the best one-pair hand: A-A-K-Q-J)
- No-pair (the best high hand: A-K-Q-J-9)
Read more about Texas Holdem
Comment(s) on this article
Fullerton May 22, 2008
thank you very informative is there a minimum number of people needed to play ?
Sean Lind May 27, 2008
You can play with as few as 2, and typically don't play with more than 10, but I've seen tables with 11 and 12.
But note, when playing with only two players (heads up) the big blind, and small blind "switch" position, so that the dealer is the small blinds when Heads Up.
pamela Jul 31, 2008
i get it now!
Yanish Dec 11, 2008
But what does the T stand for??
Sean Lind Dec 11, 2008
T = ten
Mike Dec 13, 2008
how many chips to u start with?
Sean Lind Dec 16, 2008
it depends how long you want to play for. If you want a tourney that will last a few hours with 8 people or so, go with $3,000 in starting chips with starting $25-$50 blinds going up ever 15, 20 or 30 min.
The more time between blind increases, the less they increase, and the more chips you start with, the more play the tourney will have. If you have the time, go with $5,000 starting chips.
Jake Jan 1, 2009
So hand B won??
Sean Lind Jan 2, 2009
Yes, hand B is the winner with a higher pair.
Tom Apr 3, 2009
How does "All In" work?
If I put all of my chips (lets say i have 10) and the other person puts all of his in (but he has only 2) and he wins. Does that mean he gets all of my 10 or do i gat some back?
Sean Lind Apr 3, 2009
Hey Tom, you can only win what you put in the middle. Meaning:
He wins 2 chips from you (plus two from anyone else in the pot, and the blinds. If the blinds are MORE than 2 chips, he only gets a maximum of 2 chips from each blind).
You get 8 chips back.
kimberly Apr 10, 2009
this is the best game of poker ever...............................................
tHeDrEaMeR May 29, 2009
where can i find somethin that will explain about bein on tilt, and some of the mathematics or what percentages are based on and the meaning of terminology that some of the more experienced players use?
Sean Lind May 29, 2009
Hey theDreamer
Being on tilt is simple, basically anytime you're not playing your best you're on tilt. but when people say "he's on tilt" they're talking about the most extreme version of it, when you're so overly emotional that you are playing a horrible game. Typically someone on tilt plays way too fast and aggressive.
As for the math, try this article How Not to Suck at Poker: Learn Basic Odds
as for terminology... well I haven't compiled an all encompassing poker dictionary. Maybe I'll do just that.
jamie B. Aug 2, 2009
what do the chips stand for? i mean are they nickles,dimes, or quorters?
leslie Aug 3, 2009
why does a black 9 of clovers and a black 4 of clovers win?
Sean Lind Aug 4, 2009
Jamie,
The chips can stand for anything you want them to stand for. In a casino the chips are usually colored like this:
$1 - white (sometimes dark blue)
$5 - Red
$25 - Green
$100 - Black
$500 - Purple
$1000 - Yellow
Sean Lind Aug 4, 2009
Leslie,
It depends on the other hand, and the five cards on the board. If the five cards on the board give 94 of clubs the best hand, then it wins.
sara Sep 24, 2009
Hey,i have a question.If i had one pair and another person also has 1 pair,who wins the person with the high card or the person with the higher pair??.................................thanks
Sean Lind Sep 24, 2009
Sara,
The higher pair always determines the winner. If you have the same pair, then the player with the highest card (kicker) will win.
Debbie Oct 4, 2009
Not sure I understand what you are saying about the 94 of cubs. I understand poker but you have lost me on that one. This was a questions from Leslie on August 3, Sean gave an answer on Aug 4, still don't get it. Could you please explain a little more.
Sean Lind Oct 5, 2009
Debbie,
You don't need to understand it, as I really have no idea what Leslie was asking in her question.
Just forget you ever read it and you'll be fine.
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